Thermodynamics of a morphological transition in a relativistic gas

Afshin Montakhab, Leila Shahsavar and Malihe Ghodrat

Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications, 2014, vol. 412, issue C, 32-38

Abstract: Recently, a morphological transition in the velocity distribution of a relativistic gas has been pointed out which shows hallmarks of a critical phenomenon. Here, we provide a general framework which allows for a thermodynamic approach to such a critical phenomenon. We therefore construct a thermodynamic potential which upon expansion leads to Landau-like (mean-field) theory of phase transition. We are therefore able to calculate critical exponents and explain the spontaneous emergence of “order parameter” as a result of relativistic constraints. Numerical solutions which confirm our thermodynamic approach are also provided. Our approach provides a general understanding of such a transition as well as leading to some new results. Finally, we briefly discuss some possible physical consequences of our results as well as considering the case of quantum relativistic gases.

Keywords: Relativistic gas; Jüttner distribution; Phase transitions; Mean-field theory (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2014
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:phsmap:v:412:y:2014:i:c:p:32-38

DOI: 10.1016/j.physa.2014.06.021

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